Company Bike Pool

[petitpal]

In the process of setting up a bike pool for the company I work for. Starting small (fleet of four or so) with the plan that the bikes are available for anyone who works for us pre/post work or at lunchtime - potter to the shops, ride the tow paths, etc.

Luckily I don't have to worry about the legal bit (someone else doing all that) so I'm just doing the bikes, helmets, etc.

Just after some opinions on bikes really, in terms of what and where to source. I'm thinking second hand, to help keep the cost reasonable (possibly getting powdercoated / odd component upgrade) and was thinking Dutch style bikes (was looking at some of the 80's Raleigh ladies frames as a basis - like the Caprice(?), Cameo, etc) as they should be rideable by most people who work for us and are a bit more suited to popping to the shops than a jump bike.

Not sure what my budget is yet but guessing minimal(!) - so need a good balance of reasonable quality vs cost - hence the older Raleigh thought.

So - any ideas on sourcing (going to check bumbleeauctions, ebay, bikesoup, etc)? Anyone done anything similar and have any advice? Anyone got a job lot of cheap, yet amazing quality, Dutch style bikes?

Cheers!
Paul.

 

[retrocomeback]

Its probably worth phoning round any local bike hire companies to enquire if they have any ex hire bikes that you can purchase, you'll probably be able to get a group of similar if not identical bikes which will have been well maintained and any further work you may need to do will be using the same parts for each bike, hopefully reducing costs.

 

[petitpal]

Its probably worth phoning round any local bike hire companies to enquire if they have any ex hire bikes that you can purchase, you'll probably be able to get a group of similar if not identical bikes which will have been well maintained and any further work you may need to do will be using the same parts for each bike, hopefully reducing costs.

That's a superb idea, thanks.

 

[videojetman]

have you thought about raleigh activators.
at least then you wouldnt have to worry about them getting robbed.

 

[Chopper the ex Copper]

I manage a fleet of a few dozen bikes, and your biggest problem is not the expense. It's a piece of machinery with the potential to cause injury so it'll have to be serviced/repaired by qualified persons, records kept etc.

Again, potential for injury so you need a qualified person to train and/or assess that staff can operate it safely. I'm qualified would do it for the requisite fee if you're not too far.

And you need a policy on what the bikes are to be used for, and ensure the bikes spec is suitable for that use.

Just getting some bikes and slinging them in the shed at work is the easy bit. Covering yourself and your firm against litigation is the PITA part that literally never ends and over time will massively outweigh the cost of the bikes.

 

[ChrisR]

I'd imagine the helmet issue may be awkward. I know I wouldn't want to share one. Think I'd be more inclined to suggest that people supply their own (even if they only buy a cheap £15-20 lid).

 

[petitpal]

I manage a fleet of a few dozen bikes, and your biggest problem is not the expense. It's a piece of machinery with the potential to cause injury so it'll have to be serviced/repaired by qualified persons, records kept etc.

Again, potential for injury so you need a qualified person to train and/or assess that staff can operate it safely. I'm qualified would do it for the requisite fee if you're not too far.

And you need a policy on what the bikes are to be used for, and ensure the bikes spec is suitable for that use.

Just getting some bikes and slinging them in the shed at work is the easy bit. Covering yourself and your firm against litigation is the PITA part that literally never ends and over time will massively outweigh the cost of the bikes.

Some interesting thoughts, cheers. Will have a chat with the CEO about the legals - thanks for the info.

 

[petitpal]

I'd imagine the helmet issue may be awkward. I know I wouldn't want to share one. Think I'd be more inclined to suggest that people supply their own (even if they only buy a cheap £15-20 lid).

I know what you mean, I'm the same. However - thinking that at least if we supply some then it covers us in terms of having provided one.